2 L.I.T. Chicks (Leaders In Tech)

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May 2026

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”2 L.I.T. Chicks” is a podcast series that showcases Leaders In Tech (L.I.T). Each episode features inspiring stories of pioneering women or allies who are breaking boundaries and shaping the future of technology. Tune in to hear honest conversations, insightful interviews, and empowering narratives that motivate, educate, and inspire the next generation of leaders in tech.

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May 6, 2026Episode 3355 min

S3, Ep14: Reflections on AI, Leadership & Paying It Forward | #2litchicks

We did it, y'all! Season 3 is officially in the books! In this special season finale of the 2 LIT Chicks Podcast, your girls Alicia and Fern slide back into the studio (live and in person!) to reflect on twelve unforgettable episodes of giving it back and paying it forward. From veterans turned tech leaders to PhDs, pageant queens, project management powerhouses, and cybersecurity SHEroes, this season was a full-on masterclass in leadership, legacy, and showing up authentically. We're recapping every guest who blessed us this season: Eddie Bright reminding us "AI won't replace you, but someone using AI will," Kenny Claytor's starting five and legacy lessons, Renard and Amir from Black Belts in Boardrooms on discipline and judgment as your real edge, Megan Lee on science, pageantry and honoring Henrietta Lacks, Veena Somareddy turning AR/VR into healing, the now-official Dr. Saki Milton with Dr. Jennifer Simpson on excellence without burnout, Samuel Davis and Chris Berry on IQ + EQ, Dr. Laura Jones putting cybersecurity in kids' hands, Dee Maddox calling us to walk in our purpose, Tina Helton on why cybersecurity is everybody's job, Tiffany Martin proving inclusive design is a strategic advantage, and Chakita Holmes (our #1 video of the season) on project management as the most transferable skill out there. Whether you're a screen-ager, mid-career pivoter, or seasoned executive, this finale is a love letter to leaders at every level. Big thanks to our amazing guests, our Hello Studios team, and YOU for rocking with us all season long. Season 4 is loading… Listen, like, and subscribe at 2 LIT Chicks Podcast — and remember: stay curious, stay bold, and always stay lit. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Back — Wrapping Up Season 3 00:55 Eddie Bright: AI Won't Replace You, But Someone Using It Will 07:00 Kenny Claytor: Your Starting Five & Building Legacy Now 12:00 Renard & Amir: Discipline, Judgment & Black Belts in the Boardroom 14:15 Megan Lee: Science, Pageantry & Honoring Henrietta Lacks 21:00 Veena Somareddy: When AR/VR Innovation Meets Purpose 22:45 Dr. Saki Milton & Dr. Jennifer Simpson: Do The Work 27:30 Samuel Davis & Chris Berry: IQ Meets EQ 29:15 Dr. Laura Jones: Cyber Kai, Techy Guy & Knowing Your Craft 35:30 Dee Maddox: Stop Waiting — Walk In Your Purpose 39:15 Tina Helton: Cybersecurity Is No Longer Optional 43:30 Tiffany Martin: Inclusive Design Is The Strategic Advantage 48:00 Shakita Holmes: The Project Management Powerhouse 50:30 Season 3 Lessons: AI, Discipline, Leadership & Legacy 54:00 Stay Curious, Stay Bold, Stay Lit ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #2LitChicks #2LitChicksPodcast #StayLit #SeasonFinale #Season3Recap #GiveItBackPayItForward #BlackWomenInTech #WomenInLeadership #WomenInSTEM #BlackWomenLead #WomenInTechnology #LeadershipPodcast #TechPodcast #PodcastersOfColor #BlackPodcasters #AIandLeadership #FutureOfWork #DisciplineOverHype #LegacyBuilding #YourNetworkIsYourNetWorth #Mentorship #VeteransInTech #Cybersecurity #ProjectManagement #InclusiveDesign #STEMEducation #HenriettaLacks #PayItForward #DallasPodcast #HelloStudios

April 22, 2026Episode 3247 min

S3, Ep13: What They Don’t Tell You About Success In Your Twenties ft. Libby Wright | #2LitChicksPodcast

What happens when a corporate tech executive trades a Microsoft career for a role leading one of the largest Boys & Girls Clubs in the country? In Episode 13 of the 2 L.I.T. Chicks Podcast, Fern and Alicia McKay sit down with Libby Sailor Wright, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, for a powerful conversation about purpose-driven leadership, running a nonprofit like a business, and preparing today's youth for tomorrow's workforce. Libby pulls back the curtain on how nonprofits are hiring business leaders, how AI is shifting productivity behind the scenes, and why grit is a stronger predictor of success than IQ. The conversation also tackles the growing shift from college readiness to workforce development, and why Atlanta ranks 50 out of 50 for economic mobility — and what her team is doing to change that. If you care about leadership, legacy, youth development, tech careers in the nonprofit sector, or simply what it takes to build something meaningful, this episode is a must-listen. 💡 We talk about: The joy factor: chasing pennies vs. chasing dimes, and why hearing kids laugh beats any corner office Food insecurity, summer programming (7 AM–7 PM), and full wraparound services Why grit, hope, and ambition scales may predict success better than IQ The college prep vs. workforce readiness shift and what it means for first-gen students Chapters: 00:00 Cold Open: The Intern Who Flubbed the Offer 01:40 Atlanta, Dallas, and the Full-Circle Move Back Home 04:05 Running a Nonprofit Like a Business With a Heart 06:15 The Second Graders Who Cleared Libby's Calendar 09:40 My Club Hub: Building the Tech Backbone 13:00 BGCMA By the Numbers: 8,000 Members, 408 Employees 15:55 Is Gen Z Ready for the Real World? 19:45 Inside Out University: Teaching Kids to Regulate Emotions 23:35 Latchkey Kids, Teen Crime & the Year of the Youth 28:15 AI in the Nonprofit World: Productivity Over Programming (For Now) 32:00 The NASCAR Driver Who Learned to Race on a Video Game 35:00 The Shift from College Prep to Workforce Readiness 39:15 Libby's Legacy Moment: Her Father's Inner-City Vision 44:30 Five Firehouse Questions With Libby 46:15 Stay Curious, Stay Bold, Stay LIT ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #BoysAndGirlsClubsOfMetroAtlanta #NonprofitCEOLife #WorkforceReadinessAtlanta #CorporateToNonprofitPivot #YouthDevelopmentLeadership #2LITChicks #BlackWomenInLeadership #PodcastForWomen #MentorshipMatters #LegacyBuilders

February 25, 2026Episode 3142 min

S3, Ep 12: Ethics and Regulation for Future Tech Leaders feat. Renard Henry and Amir Khawaja

This episode of 2 LIT Chicks features a powerhouse collaboration with Renard and Amir, the hosts of the Black Belts and Boardrooms podcast. Combining the discipline of martial arts with the high-stakes world of corporate leadership and technology, this conversation explores how to remain calm under pressure, the ethical landscape of AI, and why "soft skills" are the ultimate career accelerator. 💡 We talk about: Martial Arts in the Boardroom The Ethics of AI The Power of Relationships The "Cotton Gin" Effect Skills for the Future Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to 2 LIT Chicks & Guests 01:50 - The Origin of Black Belts and Boardrooms 03:32 - Stress Inoculation: How Martial Arts Builds Better Leaders 05:50 - Leadership vs. Management: Transitioning from IC to Leader 07:45 - Networking Advice for the 20-30 Generation 10:05 - The Skill of Salesmanship in Tech 12:15 - Financial Literacy: The Missing Piece for Young Professionals 13:30 - The AI Revolution: Helper or Replacement? 15:45 - Ethics, Autonomy, and the Future of Society 18:45 - Why Government Regulation Always Lags Behind 22:15 - Historical Patterns: Technology and Social Impact 26:25 - The Future of Human Interaction in a Digital World 27:38 - The Dunning-Kruger Effect & Critical Thinking 29:40 - The Worst Career Advice Renard Ever Received ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #BlackBeltsAndBoardrooms #TechLeadership #MartialArtsMindset #SoftSkillsInTech #CorporateDiscipline #Podcast #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork #AI #ProfessionalGrowth

February 18, 2026Episode 3044 min

S3, Ep 11: Bringing Your FULL SELF to Work, with Kenny Claytor | #2litchickspodcast

In Episode 11, we sit down with Army veteran, tech sales executive, husband, father, servant leader, and storyteller Kenny Claytor — and baby, the gems were GEM-ING. From sharpshooter precision to corporate leadership discipline, from building transferable skills to branding yourself beyond your job title, Kenny breaks down what it really takes to transition, pivot, and build legacy. We touched on the military mindset, entrepreneurship fads versus grit, AI in staffing, resume strategy, relationship capital, and why your “starting five” matters more than your LinkedIn title. This episode is about authenticity, discipline, faith, hustle, and making sure what you build lasts longer than your paycheck. Stay lit, y’all. 💡 We talk about: Transferable skills from military to corporate America Why discipline and order are career superpowers The importance of your “Starting Five” support system Building relationships vs. transactional networking Resume tips for early-career professionals How AI is reshaping staffing and hiring Branding yourself beyond your job title Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Two Lit Chicks 01:00 Meet Kenny Claytor 02:00 23 Years in the Army 03:30 Sharpshooter & Military Discipline 06:00 Staying Motivated in Tough Seasons 08:00 Your “Starting Five” Support System 10:00 From Military to Tech Sales 12:00 Transferable Skills That Matter 15:00 Building Relationships vs Transactions 16:00 Kenny’s Corner & Personal Branding 18:00 Finding Light in Dark Seasons 23:00 Advice for Young Tech Professionals 24:00 Resume Tips That Get Attention 26:00 Using AI to Tailor Your Resume 28:00 Is AI Replacing Recruiters? 30:00 Entrepreneurship: The Truth Behind the Hype 33:00 Social Media, Monetization & Business Skills 36:00 IT Skills & Entrepreneurship 41:00 Lightning Round 🔥 44:00 Stay Lit Closing ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #TwoLitChicks #StayLit #KennyClaytor #VeteranLeadership #TechCareers #EntrepreneurMindset #AIinBusiness #CareerAdvice #TransferableSkills #FaithAndHustle #PersonalBranding #CorporateLeadership #MilitaryToCorporate #LegacyBuilding

February 11, 2026Episode 2943 min

S3, Ep10: Beauty and the Beast: Science and Pageantry ft. Meghan Leak | #2LitChicksPodcast

What happens when rhinestones meet research? This week on 2 Lit Chicks, Fern and Alicia sit down with the phenomenal Meghan Leak — a clinical research coordinator at UT Southwestern and a longtime beauty pageant competitor — for a conversation that proves women don’t have to choose just one lane. Megan brings the full duality: STEM brilliance, pageant confidence, and a deep commitment to advocacy for women’s health — especially Black women. From breaking down what clinical research really is (and what it isn’t 👀), to normalizing conversations about our bodies, medical care, and community, this episode is layered, honest, and powerful. 💡 We talk about: Why women (especially Black women) must be part of clinical research How pageantry can be a tool for discipline, confidence, and self-mastery Grief, growth, and navigating life after losing a parent Why being multidimensional is not a flaw — it’s the secret sauce This episode is about showing up fully, asking better questions, advocating for your health, and becoming the hero you needed to see. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Meet Megan Lee Boyd 01:55 Beauty & Brains: Pageantry Meets Science 05:00 Family Legacy, Education & Confidence 08:30 What Is Clinical Research Really? 11:30 Women’s Health, Urology & Breaking Taboos 14:00 Why Black Women Must Be in Research 18:45 Normalizing Medical Conversations 22:00 Pageantry as Discipline & Self-Growth 26:30 Grief, Growth & Knowing When to Pause 31:45 Advice to Her Younger Self 35:40 Lightning Round 41:00 Where to Find Megan & Final Reflections ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #WomenInSTEM #BlackWomenInMedicine #ClinicalResearchMatters #BeautyAndBrains #WomenHealthAdvocacy #PodcastLife #WomenEmpowerment #PurposeDriven #StayLit #BlackExcellence

February 4, 2026Episode 2838 min

S3, EP9: I'm Legally Blind & I Build Tech For Everyone | #2LitChicksPodcast

In this powerful returning episode of 2 LIT Chicks Podcast, we sit down with Tiffany Martin, Founder & CEO of Visio Tech, tech strategist, accessibility advocate, and living proof that resilience plus purpose equals impact. Tiffany takes us on an unforgettable journey — from launching a tech company inside a hospital room to redefining accessibility, AI ethics, and what leadership looks like in tech spaces that weren’t built with everyone in mind. After losing her sight due to diabetic retinopathy and navigating kidney failure, Tiffany didn’t retreat — she rebuilt, reimagined, and rose. This conversation is about innovation, faith, community, entrepreneurship, and why accessibility is not an afterthought — it’s good design and good business. If you’re a student, builder, founder, or anyone trying to figure out how to turn adversity into alignment… this episode is for you. 💡 We talk about: Navigating blindness in a visually obsessed tech industry Why accessibility should be built in from day one The curb cut effect and how inclusive design benefits everyone AI as an assistive tool, not a replacement for thinking 📚 Book Recommendations Mentioned Brave New Words by Sal Khan Unmasking AI by Dr. Joy Buolamwini The AI Mirror by Shannon Vallor Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Hospital Room Origin Story 01:00 Welcome to 2 LIT Chicks + Guest Introduction 03:00 Tiffany’s Current Work & Reading Retreat 05:00 Book Recommendations on AI & Ethics 06:40 AI, Students, and Responsible Use 08:30 Accessibility in Tech & The Curb Cut Effect 11:30 Losing Her Sight & Health Journey 15:00 Learning Tech as a Blind Founder 18:30 Sensory Overload & Finding Balance 20:30 Disability, Design, and the Internet 24:00 Entrepreneurship & Early Hustle 27:00 Launching Visio Tech in the Hospital 31:00 Community, Mentorship & Black Women in Tech 34:00 Lightning Round Questions 36:00 Where to Find Tiffany 37:30 Final Reflections & Closing ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #AccessibleTech #DisabilityInTech #InclusiveDesign #BlindEntrepreneur #TechForGood #WomenInTech #EntrepreneurLife #LeadershipPodcast #BlackWomenLead #PodcastInterview

December 17, 2025Episode 2743 min

S3, Ep8: Surviving AI as a Project Manager with Chakita Holmes | #2LitChicksPodcast

In this episode of 2 L.I.T. Chicks, we’re live in the studio with technical program leader Chakita Holmes, a seasoned project and program manager with over 20 years of experience navigating tech, transformation, and leadership. Chakita shares her non-traditional journey into tech, how transferable skills opened doors she never planned for, and why project management is one of the most powerful and future-proof skill sets in today’s workforce. From AI and agile methodologies to leadership, community, and evolving with confidence, this conversation is packed with real talk, practical insight, and inspiration for the next generation of Leaders in Tech. 💡 We talk about: How transferable skills from communications, education, and the arts translate into tech careers The evolution of project management from a skill set into a full career path The role of AI in program management and why human insight still matters Agile vs. waterfall and what modern organizations are actually using today Why continuous learning, community involvement, and adaptability are non-negotiable in tech ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #LeadersInTech #WomenInTech #TechLeadership #ProjectManagementCareers #ProgramManagement #AgileLeadership #TechCareerPaths #AIInTech #Podcast #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #TechPodcast #Leadership #CareerAdvice #LifelongLearning

December 10, 2025Episode 2640 min

S3, Ep7: Tech Engineering with Samuel and Chris | #2litchickspodcast

This week on 2 LIT Chicks, Fern and Alicia sit down with two powerhouses from HEL Resources — Chris Berry and Samuel Davis — for a conversation that is equal parts brilliance, heart, and Black excellence. From software-defined vehicles and AI disruption to military service, mentorship, community impact, and that crucial mindset shift from learning → earning → returning, this episode brings gems on gems. They break down how passion fuels purpose, why the STEM pipeline needs our kids, and how discipline, exposure, and emotional intelligence can change lives. If you’re a young leader, a tech dreamer, or someone who loves hearing two worlds collide—this episode is your vibe. Stay curious, stay bold, and always stay lit. 💡 We talk about: How HEL Resources grew from a napkin idea to a tech solutions powerhouse The importance of discipline, mentorship, and emotional intelligence for young professionals Military service stories and advice for the next generation considering the Armed Forces AI’s real impact on engineering, validation, IOT, and workforce morale Community service, purpose-driven leadership, and paying it forward ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #BlackExcellenceInTech #WomenInTechPodcasts #STEMLeadership #AIEngineering #VeteransInTech #TechMentorship #SoftwareDefinedVehicles #IOTInnovation #PodcastEpisode #Leadership #CareerGrowth #Motivation #STEMEducation #AI #TechCommunity #Inspiration #PodcastLife #TwoLitChicks

December 3, 2025Episode 2544 min

S3, Ep6: How Will AI Empower and Inform Organizations? Feat. Dr Laura Jones |#2LitChicksPodcast

In this episode of the Two Lit Chicks podcast, Fern and Alicia sit down with Dr. Laura Jones, a distinguished cybersecurity and risk management executive whose career spans military service, global consulting, academia, and corporate leadership. Dr. Jones shares her journey from Special Forces support to becoming an influential voice in enterprise risk, cyber leadership, and emerging technology strategy. We explore the future of AI in governance, risk and compliance (GRC), the importance of representation in tech, and how intentional risk-taking shapes stronger leaders. Listeners will gain practical perspectives on navigating leadership as a woman of color in technology, the evolution of cybersecurity education, and the role of empathy and innovation in the next generation of AI. 💡 We talk about: Dr. Laura’s incredible military journey and Special Forces experience Navigating leadership as a Black woman in cybersecurity and risk management Why women need to take more risks in their careers The future of AI, empathy, and the rise of vibe-coding How she balances corporate leadership, academia, and authorship Her mission to educate kids through cybersecurity-themed children's books The power of faith, self-awareness, and finding your lane ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #WomenInCybersecurity #RiskManagementLeaders #BlackWomenInTech #AIandGRC #PodcastEpisode #Leadership #WomenEmpowerment #Trailblazers

November 26, 2025Episode 2454 min

S3, Ep5: PhDs, Power, and AI: Using It Responsibly with Saki and Jennifer | #2litchickspodcast

Welcome back to another episode of Two Lit Chicks, and today we are technically Two Lit Chicks… with Two More Lit Chicks. Yes, it’s a FOUR-LIT-CHICKS kind of day. In this powerhouse episode, Fern and Alicia sit down with two STEM queens who have been shaking tables, building pipelines, and breaking ceilings for girls of color long before STEM became a hashtag. Meet Saki Melton, founder and executive director of The GEMS Camp, and Dr. Jennifer Simpson, scientist-turned-educator who went from analyzing “white powders” for the DEA to inspiring the next generation of science rockstars. These women are dropping wisdom, receipts, and holy-hallelujah insights on education, grit, STEM equity, and the truth behind pursuing advanced degrees as Black women in America. 💡 We talk about: - What it really takes to earn a PhD (spoiler: sacrifice + tears + caffeine) - Why representation in STEM is STILL an uphill battle - How girls learn outside the classroom — and why it matters - AI in education: opportunity, bias & the reality check - Excellence, identity, and taking up space in male-dominated fields - Why “you are enough” may just save your sanity - The lightning round you didn’t know you needed This episode is rich, real, funny, and full of truth bombs. If you’re on your own STEM journey, navigating grad school, or simply trying to find your spark — pull up a seat. ✅ Follow us on Instagram! @2litchickspod 😎 We’re on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernjohnson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/amakaye/ @TwoLITChicksPodcast #givingback #WomenInSTEM #BlackWomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMEducation #STEMEquity #PhDJourney #NonprofitLeadership #STEMMentorship #ForensicScienceLife #STEMCamps #STEMForGirls #LearningScience #PodcastEpisode #InspirationalWomen #Leadership #Education #Empowerment #MotivationDaily #WomenSupportingWomen #AIandEducation #FemaleLeaders #CareerTalk #PodcastShow #YouTubePodcast